Where does “панк” come from?

панк (Russian) comes from English punk, from Unami punkw, from Proto-Algonquian penkwi, from Proto-Algic penekwe — powder.

панк (Russian): punk; API •  m inan

Definitions

  1. punk; API •  m inan

Ancestry of “панк”, step by step

панк traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English punk

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishpunkA person used for sex, particularly; A worthless...
2Unamipunkwashes; dust; powder
3Proto-Algonquianpenkwidust, ash
4Proto-Algicpenekwepowder

via Proto-Uralic päŋe

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Proto-Uralicpäŋehead
Every word from Proto-Algic penekwe →Every word from Proto-Algonquian penkwi →Every word from Unami punkw →